Inhibitors of the Interaction between p53 and MDM2

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds capable of binding to the oncogene protein MDM2, processes for the preparation of such compounds, pharmaceutical preparations comprising such compounds, and uses of said compounds, e.g. in the therapeutic (including prophylactic) treatment of an animal or especially of the human body. The present further relates to methods of and compounds for inhibiting the growth of tumor cells which comprise the wild type p53 suppressor by interfering with the interaction between human p53 and human MDM2.

The present invention relates to compounds capable of binding to the oncogene protein MDM2, processes for the preparation of such compounds, pharmaceutical preparations comprising such compounds, and uses of said compounds, e.g. in the therapeutic (including prophylactic) treatment of an animal or especially of the human body. The present further relates to methods of and compounds for inhibiting the growth of tumor cells which comprise the wild type p53 suppressor by interfering with the interaction between human p53 and human MDM2.

Inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor is a frequent event in human neoplasia. Such inactivation of p53 may, for example, result from the binding of a cellular oncogene protein, such as MDM2. The protein encoded by the mdm2 gene, which is also referred to as hdm2 (human double minute 2) gene in the art, is capable of forming a complex with p63 both in vitro and in vivo and inhibit p53-mediated transactivation (J. Momand et al., Cell 69, 1237-1245 (1992)). Formation of this complex favors nucleoplasmic transformation because the complexed p53 essentially looses its tumor suppressor activity. MDM2 is overproduced in about 30% of the human sarcomas and has been associated with an oncogenic phenotype. Compounds preventing or decreasing the binding of MDM2 to p53 alleviate the sequestration of p53, thus promoting p53 tumor suppressor activity. Surprisingly it has been found that the compounds of the invention interfere with the interaction of MDM2 with p53 and activate p53 function and p53 accumulation in normal cells having non-elevated MDM2 levels.

The MDM2 binding site is localized within the region of p53 represented approximately by amino acids 13 to 31 (PLSQETFSDLWKLLPENNV; single letter code) of mature human p53 protein. Recently, it has been found that peptide fragments of p53 which include the amino acid motif FxxLW wherein F, L, and W represent the single letter codes for amino acids phenylalanine, leucine and tryptophan, respectively, and X may be any amino acid, would be particularly suitable for interfering with the binding between p53 and MDM2 (Picksley et al., Oncogene 9, 2523-2529 (1994)). However, there is still a need for compounds which are potent inhibitors of P53-MDM2 binding, and therefore beneficial in the treatment of p53-related diseases, such as (hyper)proliferative diseases. It is the object of the present invention to fulfill this and other needs.

In one aspect, the present invention is based on the surprising finding that a peptide with the phage consensus amino acid sequence P-X-F-X-D-Y-W-X-X-L, wherein X is any naturally occurring L-amino acid, and P, F, D, W and L represent the L-amino acids of proline (P), phenylalanine (F), aspartic acid (D), tyrosine (Y), tryptophan (W) and leucine (L), respectively, given in the single letter code, is capable of blocking the interaction of MDM2 with p53, as determinable e.g. in an ELISA assay, and shows a significant increase in specific blocking activity over the wildtype p53 peptide sequence.

As used herein, “mdm” refers to the oncogene and “MDM” refers to the protein obtainable as a result of expression of said gene. Even though in the strict sense “mdm” means “murine double minute gene2”, as used herein it also refers to dm2 mutants, particularly interspecies mutants, such as hdm2 (human double minute gene2) in particular.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide compounds capable of interfering with the interaction between p53 and MDM2 and/or mdm2 in tumor cells having wild type p53, particularly human p53, and non-elevated MDM2 levels, as defined below, in vivos and in vitro. A preferred embodiment includes peptides and derivatives thereof, capable of binding to MDM2, particularly human DM2, and specifically inhibiting or blocking the binding of MDM2 to the p53 protein, particularly human p53, in vitro or in vivo. The preferred peptides of the invention are better than the p53 wildtype peptide in inhibiting the hdm2 binding to p53 or a suitable p53 peptide, as can be determined e.g. in suitable ELISA-type assays, particularly the assays described in detail hereinafter, on the basis of the IC₅₀, i.e. the concentration of peptide necessary to inhibit the hdm2 or p53 binding by 50%. The peptides of the invention mimic the MDM2 binding site on p53. The peptides provided herein consist of or comprise an amino acid motif (in N- to C-terminal order) of the formula R₁-X-F-X-R₂-R₃-W-X-X-R₄, (I) wherein

-   R₁ is a proline (P), leucine (L), glutamic acid (E), cysteine (C) or     glutamine (Q), -   X stands for one (any) natural amino acid, -   R₂ is arginine (R), histidine (H), glutamic acid (E), cysteine (C),     serine (S), or preferably aspartic acid (D), -   R₃ is histidine (H), phenylalanine (F) or preferably tyrosine, -   R₄ is phenylalanine (F), glutamine (Q) or preferably leucine (L);     and -   F and W (as well as the other capital letters given in brackets     above) are used in accordance with the commonly used single letter     code for amino acids and represent phenylalanine and tryptophan,     respectively.

As used herein, the term “amino acid(s)” includes the tree (charged or uncharged) form, or the monovalent or bivalent radical, the latter also being referred to as “amino acid residue”. For example, in a 10 mer peptide of formula (I), R₁ and R₄ are monovalent radicals, R₁ having a free amino group and R₄ having a free carboxy group, and X, for example, is a bivalent amino acid radical.

Preferred peptides of the invention consisting of or comprising the amino acid motif of formula (I) are peptides consisting of no more than fifteen amino acids (15 mers), particularly 10 mer, 11 mer, 12 mer, 13 mer, 14 mer or 15 mer peptides. In such peptides comprising the amino acid motif of formula (I) natural amino acid residues may be attached to the 10 mer motif of formula (I) at the N-terminus, i.e. such additional amino acids precede R₁, at the N-terminus; at the C-terminus, i.e. such amino acids follow R₄; or at both ends of a peptide of formula (I). Sequences of exemplary 12 mer and 15 mer peptides are given e.g. in Example 8 hereinbelow.

As used herein, a natural amino acid is a natural α-amino acid having the L-configuration, such as those normally occurring in natural proteins. Unnatural amino acid refers to an amino acid, which normally does not occur in proteins, e.g. an epimer of a natural α-amino acid having the L-configuration, that is to say an amino acid having the unnatural D-configuration; or a (D,L)-isomeric mixture thereof; or a homologue of such an amino acid, for example a β-amino acid, an α,α-disubstituted amino acid, or an α-amino acid wherein the amino acid side chain has been shortened by one or two methylene groups or lengthened to up to 10 carbon atoms, such as an α-amino alkanoic acid with 5 up to and including 10 carbon atoms in a linear chain, an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic (α-aryl or α-aryl lower alkyl), for example a substituted phenylalanine or phenylglycine.

By selectively disrupting or preventing p53 from binding to MDM2 through its MDM2 binding site, the peptides of the invention, or derivatives thereof, can significantly decrease or avoid the negative regulatory effects of MDM2 on p53 activity. Therefore, the peptides, or derivatives thereof, of the invention can be used to restore p53 tumor suppressor function, e.g. in the treatment of tumor diseases or viral infections when enhanced activity of p53 is desired or required.

The peptide sequences of the invention show some homology to the sequence on p53 required for MDM2 binding, however, additional homologies are present which are absent from p53.

Preferred is a peptide of formula R₁-X₁-F-X₂-R₂-R₃-W-X₃-X₄-R₄, (Ia) wherein

-   R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ each have the meanings given for formula (I)     above, -   X₁ is arginine, asparagine, alanine, threonine or valine; -   X₂ is methionine, isoleucine, threonine, arginine, alanine or     serine; -   X₃ is glutamic acid, threonine, alanine, phenylalanine or serine; -   X₄ is glycine, glutamine, threonine, alanine or aspartic acid.

In particular, preferred peptides of the invention include the following (amino acid sequences are given in single letter code): M-P-R-F-M-D-Y-W-E-G-L-N; (II) Q-P-T-F-S-D-Y-W-K-L-L-P (III) P-R-P-A-L-V-F-A-D-Y-W-E-T-L-Y. (IV)

As used herein, “peptide of the invention” refers to a linear compound comprising the amino acid motif of formula (I) and containing only natural amino acids which are linked by peptide bonds and which are in an unprotected form.

The present invention also provides derivatives of the peptides of the invention. Such derivatives may be linear or circular. Derivatives of the invention include molecules wherein a peptide of the invention is non-covalently or preferably covalently modified by substitution, chemical, enzymatic or other appropriate means with another atom or moiety including another peptide or protein. An example of a derivative comprising a peptide linked to another protein is exemplified by binding element TIP12/1 as described in example 10 below. The moiety may be “foreign” to a peptide of the invention as defined above in that it is an unnatural amino acid, or in that one or more, preferably one or two natural amino acid in the motif of formula (I) are replaced with another natural or unnatural amino acid. Conjugates comprising a peptide or derivative of the invention covalently attached to another peptide or protein are also encompassed herein. Attachment of another moiety may involve a linker or spacer, e.g. an amino acid or peptidic linker. Derivatives of the invention also includes peptides wherein one, some or all potentially reactive groups, e.g. amino, carboxy, sulfhydryl or hydroxyl groups are in a protected form.

The atom or moiety derivatizing a peptide of the invention may serve analytical purposes, e.g. facilitate detection of the peptide of the invention, favor preparation or purification of the peptide, or improve a property of the peptide which is relevant for the purposes of the present invention. Such properties include e.g. cellular uptake, binding to MDM2, or suitability for in vivo administration, particularly solubility or stability against enzymatic degradation. Derivatives of the invention include a covalent or aggregative conjugate of a peptide of the invention with another chemical moiety, said derivative displaying essentially the same activity as the underivatized peptide of the invention, and a “peptide analogue” or “mimetic” which is modeled to resemble the three-dimensional structure of the amino acid motif of formula (I). Examples of such mimetics are retro-inverso peptides (M. Chorev, M. Goodman, Acc. Chem. Res. 26, 266-273 (1993)). The designing of mimetics to a known pharmaceutically active compound is a known approach to the design of drugs based on a “lead” compound. This may be desirable e.g. where the “originar active compound is difficult or expensive to synthesize, or where it is unsuitable for a particular mode of administration, e.g. peptides are considered unsuitable active agents for oral compositions as they tend to be quickly degraded by proteases in the alimentary channel.

Examples of derivatives within the above general definitions are:

Cyclic peptides or derivatives including compounds with a disulfide bridge, a thioether bridge or a lactam. Typically, cyclic derivatives containing a disulphide bond will contain two cysteines, which may be L-cysteine or D-cysteine. Advantageously, the N-terminal amino acid (e.g. R₁ in formula I) and the C-terminal amino acids are both cysteines. In such derivatives, as an alternative to cysteine, penicill amine (β,β-dimethyl-cysteine) can be used. Peptides containing thioether bridges are obtainable e.g. from starting compounds having a free cysteine residue at one end and a bromo-containing building block at the other end (e.g., bromo-acetic acid). Cyclisation can be carried out on solid phase by a selective deprotection of the side chain of cysteine. A cyclic lactam may be formed e.g. between the γ-carboxy group of glutamic acid and the ε-amino group of lysine. For example, cyclic lactams according to the invention have a Glu at the N-terminus (e.g. R in formula I) and a Lys at the C-terminus. As an alternative to glutamic acid, it is possible to use aspartic acid. As an alternative to lysine, ornithine or diaminobutyric acid may be employed. Also, it is possible to make a lactam between the side chain of aspartic acid or glutamic acid at the C-terminus and the α-amino group of the N-terminal amino acid. This approach is extendable to β-amino acids (e.g., β-alanine). Alternatively, glutamine residues at the N-terminus or C-terminus can be tethered with an alkenedyl chain between the side chain nitrogen atoms (J. C. Phelan et al., J. of the American Chemical Society 119, 455-460 (1997)).

Peptides of the invention, which are modified by substitution. In the sequence of formula (I) one or more, preferably one or two, amino acids are replaced with another natural or unnatural amino acid, e.g. with the respective D-analog, or a mimetic. For example, in a peptide, wherein R₃ is Phe or particularly Tyr, Phe or Tyr may be replaced with another building block, e.g. another proteinogenic amino acid, or a structurally related analogue. Preferred modifications are such that an α-helix conformation in the peptide is induced, increased or maintained. For example, in a peptide of formula (I), R₂, X₃ and/or X₄ may, independently from one another, be replaced by a α,α-disubstituted amino acid residue, α-aminoisobutyric acid, 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, 1-amino-cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid, 1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, 4-amino piperidine-4-carboxylic acid and 1-amino-cycloheptane-1-carboxylic acid.

Peptides of the invention labeled with an enzyme, a fluorescent marker, a chemiluminescent marker, a metal chelate, paramagnetic particles, biotin, or the like. In such derivatives, the peptide of the invention is bound to the conjugation partner directly or by way of a spacer or linker group, e.g. a (peptidic) hydrophilic spacer. Advantageously, the peptide is attached at the N- or C-terminal amino acid. For example, biotin may be attached to the N-terminus of a peptide of the invention via a serine residue or the tetramer SerGlySerGly.

Peptides of the invention carrying one or more protecting groups at a (potentially) reactive (side group), such as amino-protecting group, e.g. acetyl, or a carboxy-protecting group. For example, the C-terminal carboxy group of a compound of the invention may be present in form of a carboxamide function. Suitable protecting groups are commonly known in the art and further exemplified hereinbelow. Such groups may be introduced e.g. to enhance the stability of the compound against proteolytic degradation. If desired, such protecting groups are removed.

Peptides of the invention fused or attached to another protein or peptide, e.g. a protein or peptide serving as internalization vector, such as another peptide facilitating cellular uptake, e.g. a “penetratin”. An exemplary penetratin comprising derivative according to the invention is e.g. a peptide comprising the sixteen amino acid sequence from the homeodomain of the Antennapedia protein (D. Derossi et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269, 10444-10450 (1994)), particularly a peptide having the amino acid sequence: M-P-R-F-M-D-Y-W-E-G-L-N-R-Q-I-K-I-W-F-Q-N-R-R-M-K-W-K-K, or comprising a peptide sequence disclosed by Y.-Z. Lin et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270, 14255-14258 (1995)),

Salts, especially acid addition salts, salts with bases or, where several salt-forming groups are present, mixed salts or internal salts. Exemplary salts are e.g. the salts described in the Examples. Preferred are pharmaceutically acceptable salts. However, it is also possible to use pharmaceutically unacceptable salts, e.g. for isolation or purification purposes.

Derivatives of a peptide of the invention also comprise fragments of such peptide which, as compared to a peptide of formula (I), consist of or comprise at least eight i.e. eight or nine, consecutive amino acids of said motif. Such fragments may be further derivatized as described in detail above.

More specifically, a preferred fragment according to the invention is an 8 mer peptide, i.e. a peptide containing eight amino acid residues, of formula F-X₂-R₂-R₃-W-X₃-X₄-R₄, (Ib) wherein

-   R₂, R₃ and R₄, independently from one another, each have the     meanings and preferences given for formula (I) above, -   X₂ is methionine, isoleucine, threonine, arginine, alanine or     serine, preferably methionine; -   X₃ is glutamic acid, threonine, alanine, phenylalanine or serine,     preferably glutamic acid; -   X₄ is glycine, glutamine, threonine, alanine or aspartic acid,     preferably glycine,     or a derivative as defined above of such fragment.

Also preferred is a fragment, which is a 9 mer peptide having the formula X₁-F-X₂-R₂-R₃-W-X₃-X₄-R₄, (Ic) wherein

-   R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄, independently from one another, each have the     meanings and preferences given for formula (I) above, -   X₁ is arginine, asparagine, alanine, threonine or valine;     particularly arginine -   X₂ is methionine, isoleucine, threonine, arginine, alanine or     serine; preferably methionine; -   X₃ is glutamic acid, threonine, alanine, phenylalanine or serine;     preferably glutamic acid; -   X₄ is glycine, glutamine, threonine, alanine or aspartic acid,     preferably glycine,     or a derivative as defined above of such fragment.

Particularly preferred derivatives of peptide fragments of the invention contain the 8 mer motif of formula (Ib) or the 9 mer motif of formula (Ic) and also

-   -   a suitable label means, e.g. an enzyme, a fluorescent marker, a         chemiluminescent marker, a metal chelate, paramagnetic         particles, biotin, or the like, and/or     -   one or more protecting groups, e.g. as defined above, such as         acetyl, and/or     -   be fused or attached to another protein or peptide, e.g. a         peptide as mentioned above.         Also included within the scope of the provided fragment         derivatives are peptides of formula (Ib) or (Ic), wherein one or         more, preferably one, two or three amino acid residues are         replaced with another natural or unnatural amino acid. For         example, in a peptide, wherein R₃ is Phe or particularly Tyr,         Phe or Tyr may be replaced with another building block, e.g.         another proteinogenic amino acid, or a structurally related         analogue, e.g. ortho-tyrosine, homophenylalanine or         2-naphtyl-alanine. Preferred modifications are such that an         α-helix conformation in the fragment is induced, increased or         maintained. For example, in a peptide of formula (I), each of         R₂, X₃ and/or X₄ may, independently from one another, be         replaced by a α,α-disubstituted amino acid residue, such as         α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic         acid, 1-amino-cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid,         1-amino-cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid,         4-aminopiperidine-4-carboxylic acid, or         1-amino-cycloheptane-1-carboxylic acid. Such replacement may be         combined with the above mentioned substitution by orthotyrosine.         Also, in a 9 mer fragment of formula (Ic), wherein R₂ is         aspartic acid and the remaining variables have the meanings and         preferences given above, X₁ may be replaced with         NH₂—(CH₂)_(n)—CO—, wherein n is from 4 to 6, preferably a         6-amino-hexanoic acid residue. The N-terminal amino group of         such fragment derivative will form a lactam with the side chain         of aspartic acid.

Exemplary fragments include the following: P-A-F-T-H-Y-W-P, and, particularly, P-T-F-S-D-Y-W-P and P-R-F-M-D-Y-W-P, or derivatives thereof. Particularly preferred are fragments having the following amino acid sequences: R-F-M-D-Y-W-E-G-L and F-M-D-Y-W-E-G-L, or derivatives thereof.

Specially preferred derivatives of the invention are the derivatives used to exemplify the present invention, derivatives of the peptides above designated as being preferred, and derivatives of fragments as defined above.

A derivative according to the invention may involve one or multiple modifications as compared to a peptide of the invention, e.g. carry one or more of the above defined moieties. In other words, a derivative of the invention is intended to include compounds derivable from or based on a peptide of the invention or another derivative of the invention. The preferred derivatives of the invention are capable of binding to MDM2 and of selectively inhibiting or blocking the binding of MDM2 to the p53 protein.

The compounds of the invention have useful, in particular pharmacologically useful properties. For example, they are useful in the treatment of diseases that respond to the inhibition of the p53-MDM2 interaction. As used hereinbefore or hereinbelow, the term “compound of the invention” includes peptides and derivatives of the peptides of the invention as well as DNA encoding for the described peptides and derivatives, triple-strand forming or antisense nucleotides, small molecules or peptides capable of inhibiting expression of MDM2, and antibodies and any further molecules capable of inhibiting p53-MDM2 interaction.

The ability of a test compound to inhibit interaction between MDM2 and p53 can be shown by assays commonly known in the art, or modifications of known assays readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Suitable assays include e.g. a binding assay determining binding of a test compound, e.g. a compound of the invention, to MDM2, an in vitro transcription assay or an assay as described in European Patent Application 95810576.9, corresponding to International Application No. PCT/EP 96/03957. Assays may be performed qualitatively or quantitatively and require comparison to one or more suitable controls.

A preferred binding assay is a competitive binding assay. The principle underlying a competitive binding assay is generally known in the art. Briefly, such binding assay is performed by allowing a compound to be tested for its capability to compete with a known, suitably labeled ligand, e.g. MDM2 or p53 for the binding site at a target molecule, e.g. p53 or MDM2 (depending on which molecule is used as known ligand). A suitably labeled ligand is e.g. a radioactively labeled ligand or a ligand which can be detected by its optical properties, such as absorbance or fluorescence. After removing unbound ligand and test compound the amount of labeled ligand bound to the target protein is measured. If the amount of bound ligand is reduced in the presence of the test compound, said compound is found to bind to the target molecule.

Further details of suitable assays are given in the Examples. For example, ELISA-type assays may be used wherein p53 or an appropriately labeled p53 peptide comprising the MDM2 binding site on p53 is immobilized and binding of MDM2 is competed for by a candidate inhibitor. Alternatively, MDM2 may be immobilized and binding of p53 is competed for by such candidate. Furthermore, an assay involving phage display of a candidate peptide, e.g. a phage ELISA assay, may be used.

Particularly preferred compounds of the invention are superior to the peptide having the amino acid sequence QETFSDLWKLLP corresponding to the correct p53 wild-type sequence in their ability to selectively inhibit the binding of p53 and MDM2.

The peptides and derivatives of the present invention can be readily prepared according to well-established, standard liquid or, preferably, solid-phase peptide synthesis methods, general descriptions of which are broadly available (see, for example, in J. M. Stewart and J. D. Young, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2nd edition, Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill. (1984), in M. Bodanzsky and A. Bodanzsky, The Practice of Peptide Synthesis, Springer Verlag, New York (1984); and Applied Biosystems 430A Users Manual, ABI Inc., Foster City, Calif.), or they may be prepared in solution, by the liquid phase method or by any combination of solid-phase, liquid phase and solution chemistry, e.g. by first completing the respective peptide portion and then, if desired and appropriate, after removal of any protecting groups being present, by introduction of the residue X by reaction of the respective carbonic or sulfonic acid or a reactive derivative thereof.

Reactive derivatives of carbonic or sulfonic acids are preferably reactive esters, reactive anhydrides or reactive cyclic amides. Reactive carbonic acid or reactive sulfonic acid derivatives can also be formed in situ.

The reaction steps required e.g. for the synthesis of amide or sulfonamide bonds usually depend on the type of activation of the carboxylic or sulfo group participating in the reaction. The reactions normally run in the presence of a condensing agent or, when activating the carboxylic or sulfonic acids in the form of anhydrides, of an agent that binds the carboxylic or sultonic acid formed. The reactions are especially carried out in a temperature range from −30 to +150° C., preferably from +10 to +70° C., and, most preferably, from +20 to +50° C., if appropriate, in an inert gas atmosphere, e.g. under nitrogen or argon.

Synthesis proceeds in a stepwise, cyclical fashion by successively removing the NH₂ protecting group of the amino group to be reacted next and then coupling an activated fragment (e.g. an amino acid, di-, tri- or oligopeptide or a carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid, or a reactive derivative thereof, to the deprotected NH₂ (e.g. α- or β-NH₂). Preferably, activation of the COOH group of the amino acid to be reacted or the carboxyl or sulfo group of the acid to be attached by the condensation reaction is effected

-   -   (i) directly with a carbodiimide, with a carbonyl compound such         as carbonyldiimidazole; with 1,2-oxazolium compounds; with         acylamino compounds such as         2-ethoxy-1-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline; with         N-[(dimethylamino)-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-1-ylmethylene]-N-methylmethanaminium         hexafluorophosphate N-oxide (HATU); with an uronium compound         such as 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-uronium         tetrafluoroborate (HBTU); or phosphonium corn pounds such as         benzotriazol-1-yl-oxy-tris(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluoro         phosphate (BOP) or benzotriazol-1-yl-oxy-pyrrolidino-phosphonium         hexafluorophosphate (PyBOP);     -   (ii) via formation of the symmetric anhydride (obtainable, for         example, by condensation of the corresponding acid in the         presence of a carbodiimide or 1-diethyl-aminopropyne; symmetric         anhydrides method), or an asymmetric anhydride, such as the         respective carbonic or sulfonic acid bromide, chloride or         fluoride, or     -   (iii) by formation of an “active ester”, e.g. an amino- or amido         ester, such as a 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole (HOBT) or         N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, or an aryl ester, such as a         penta-fluorophenyl, 4-nitrophenyl or 2,4,5-tetrachlorophenyl         ester;     -   or by an appropriate combination of any of the reagents and         reactions mentioned under (i) to (iii).

Useful acid binding agents that can be employed in the condensation reactions are, for example, alkaline metals, carbonates or bicarbonates, such as sodium or potassium carbonate or bicarbonate (if appropriate, together with a sulfate), or organic bases such as sterically hindered organic nitrogen bases, for example tri-lower alkylamines, such as N,N-diisopropyl-N-ethylamine, which can be used alone or in any appropriate combination.

Reactive groups in the monomers of ligands or in the resin-bound or free intermediates resulting from one or more coupling steps can be protected by third groups as protecting groups that are customarily used in peptide synthesis. Examples of protecting groups, their introduction and their removal are, for example, described in standard works such as “Protective groups in Organic Chemistry”, Plenum Press, London, New York 1973; “Methoden der organischen Chemie”, Houben-Weyl, 4. edition, Vol. 15/1, Georg-Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 1974; Th. W. Greene, “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, John Wiley & Sons, New York 1981; Atherton et al., “Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis—A Practical Approach”, IRL Press Oxford University, 1984; Jones, “The Chemical Synthesis of Peptides”, Oxford Science Publications, Clavendon Press Oxford, 1991; and Bodanszky, “Peptide Chemistry”, Springer Verlag Berlin, 1988. The term “protecting groups” comprises also resins used for solid phase synthesis, preferably those specifically mentioned above and below.

Examples for hydroxy protecting groups are acyl radicals, such as tert-lower alkoxycarbonyl radicals, for example tert-butoxycarbonyl, etherifying groups, such as tert-lower alkyl groups, for example t-butyl, or silyl- or tin radicals, such as tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl or the tri-n-butyltin radical.

Carboxy groups can be protected by groups as defined above for the C-terminal protecting groups Y, preferably by esterifying groups selected from those of the tert-butyl type, from benzyl, from trimethylsilylethyl and from 2-triphenylsilyl groups, or they can be protected as lower alkenyl esters, such as allylic esters.

Amino or guanidino (e.g. in H-Arg-OH) groups can be protected by removable acyl groups or by arylmethyl, etherified mercapto, 2-acyl-lower alk-1-enyl, a silyl group or an organic sulfonyl group or tin amino protecting groups; tert-butoxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl, benzyl-oxycarbonyl, 4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, 2-chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl, 2-bromobenzyloxy-carbonyl, diphenylmethoxycarbonyl, nitrophenylsulfenyl, 2,2,2-trichloro-ethoxycarbonyl, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-sulfonyl (PMC—very preferred), 2,2,4,6,7-pentamethyldihydrobenzofuran-5-sulfonyl (Pbf) or 4-methoxy-2,3,6-tri methyl-benzenesulfonyl (Mtr) being especially preferred.

Carbamide groups (for example, in the side chains of asparagine and glutamine) can be protected at the nitrogen atom by arylmethyl groups, preferably triphenylmethyl (trityl) or analogues thereof with one or more lower alkoxy, such as methoxy, and/or lower alkyl, such as methyl, substituents in one or more phenyl rings.

Imino groups (e.g. in imidazole) can be protected by 2,4-dinitrophenyl, trityl, tert-butoxy-carbonyl or p-toluenesulfonyl, or (e.g. in indole) by formyl or tert-butoxycarbonyl.

Mercapto groups can be protected, e.g., by acetamidomethyl, by trityl or by p-methylbenzyl.

A large number of methods of removing protective groups in the final products or any inter-mediates are known in the art and comprise, inter alia, β-elimination, solvolysis, hydrolysis, alcoholysis, acidolysis, photolysis, enzymatical removal, treatment with a base or reduction.

The protective groups are usually removed after the complete synthesis of the resin-bound molecule by conventional methods of peptide chemistry, conveniently by treatment with 95% trifluoroacetic acid (Fmoc-chemistry). In some cases, strong nucleophiles, such as dimethyl sulfide and/or 2-ethanedithiol, may be additionally added to capture the generated compounds resulting from the protecting groups, e.g. in a combination such as trimethyl-silyltrifluoro-methansulonate/dimethylsulfide/trifluoroacetic acid/ethanedithiol/m-cresol.

The two preferred methods of solid phase peptide synthesis are the Boc and the Fmoc methods, which are named with reference to their use of the tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) or 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group, respectively, to protect the α-NH₂ or α-NHR₃ of the amino acid residue to be coupled (see J. M. Stewart, J. D. Young, Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2n edn., Pierce, Rockford, Ill. (1984) or G. Barany, R. B. Merrifield, Solid-phase Peptide Synthesis, in: The Peptides, Vol. 2 (E. Gross, J. Meienhofer, eds.), Academic Press, New York (1979)); and E. Atherton and R. C. Sheppard, in Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis-A Practical Approach, ed. D. Rickwood and B. D. Hames, IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1989), respectively).

Derivatives of the invention are prepared according to conventional methods involving de novo synthesis or starting from a peptide or another derivative of the invention.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing hyperproliferative disease by interfering with the interaction or binding between p53 and MDM2 in tumor cells. The method may comprise administering an effective amount of a compound of the invention to a warm blood animal, including a human, or tumor cells containing wild type p53. The administration of the compounds of the present invention may induce cell growth arrest or apoptosis. The present invention may be used to treat disease and or tumor cells comprising non-elevated MDM2 levels. Non elevated levels of MDM2 as used herein refers to MDM2 levels lower than those found in cells containing more than the normal copy number (2) of mdm2 or below about 10,000 molecules of MDM2 per cell as measured by ELISA and similar assays known in the art (Picksley et al., Oncogene 9, 2523-2529 (1994)).

The method of the present invention encompasses administering DNA to tumor cells and/or a warm blooded animal, including a human. DNA of the present invention encodes a product that interferes with the interaction of p53 and MDM2. DNA typically is in an expression vector, such as a retrovirus, DNA virus or plasmid into which DNA sequences necessary for expression in eukaryotic cells are properly position to result in expression of the DNA. The DNA sequences are designed to express high levels of the desired product in tumor cells in a form that is stable and active as exemplified by the binding element TIP 12/1 described below. The DNA may be administered to cells in vivos, ex vivos or in vitro as appropriate. The DNA may be administered encapsulated in liposomes, via microinjection or any other form known in the art to achieve efficient cellular uptake.

Administering compounds that interfere with the interaction of p53 and MDM2 by affecting the expression of MDM2 are also encompassed by the method of the present invention. Triple strand-forming or antisense oligonucleotides which bind the mdm2 gene or its mRNA and prevent transcription or translation may also administered to tumor cells and/or a warm blooded animal, including a human, in vivos, ex vivos or in vitro. The oligonucleotides may interact with unprocessed mRNA or processed mRNA. Small molecules and peptides which specifically inhibit MDM2 expression may also be administered to cells.

In another aspect of the method of the present invention, antibodies that interfere with the interaction between p53 and MDM2 may be administered to tumor cells and/or to a warm blooded animal, including a human, facilitating cell growth arrest or apoptosis. Antibodies of the present invention interrupt p53 and MDM2 interaction, and may comprise polyclonal, monoclonal, and recombinant antibodies. Antibodies of the invention may be associated with liposomes or other means known in the art to facilitate cellular uptake. DNA encoding for the antibodies of the invention may also be administered to the cell, as described above, the antibody being delivered to the upon expression of the administered DNA.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to uses of a compound of the invention including its use in the purification of a binding partner, particularly MDM2; its use as a “lead compound” for drug development or design; its use in a method of identifying compounds which interfere with the binding of MDM2 to p53; its use in diagnosis, e.g. to measure the levels of MDM2 in blood samples in the case of leukemia or solid carcinomas, such as sarcomas or glioblastomas.

The invention relates also to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the invention, to their use in the therapeutic (including prophylactic) treatment of the hyperproliferative diseases and viral infections, to the compounds for said use and to the preparation of pharmaceutical preparations.

The pharmacologically acceptable compounds of the present invention may be used, for example, for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions that comprise an effective amount of the active ingredient together or in admixture with a significant amount of inorganic or organic, solid or liquid, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition that is suitable for administration to a warm-blooded animal, especially a human (or to cells or cell lines derived from a warm-blooded animal, especially a human, e.g. lymphocytes), for the treatment or prevention of (=prophylaxis against) a disease that responds to inhibition of the interaction of p53 with MDM2, comprising an amount of a peptide of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, which is effective for said inhibition, together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention are those for enteral, such as nasal, rectal or oral, or parenteral, such as intramuscular or intravenous, administration to warm-blooded animals (humans and animals), that comprise an effective dose of the pharmacologically active ingredient, alone or together with a significant amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The dose of the active ingredient depends on the species of warm-blooded animal, the body weight, the age and the individual condition, individual pharmacokinetic data, the disease to be treated and the mode of administration. The invention relates also to a method of treating diseases that respond to inhibition of the interaction of MDM2 and p53, which comprises administering a prophylactically or especially therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to the invention, especially to a warm-blooded animal, for example a human, that, on account of one of the mentioned diseases, requires such treatment. In a preferred embodiment the administered compound is a peptide or derivative of the invention.

The pharmaceutical compositions comprise from approximately 1% to approximately 95%, preferably from approximately 20% to approximately 90%, active ingredient. Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be, for example, in unit dose form, such as in the form of ampoules, vials, suppositories, dragées, tablets or capsules.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are prepared in a manner known per se, for example by means of conventional dissolving, lyophilising, mixing, granulating or confectioning processes.

Solutions of the active ingredient, and also suspensions, and especially isotonic aqueous solutions or suspensions, are preferably used, it being possible, for example in the case of lyophilized compositions that comprise the active ingredient alone or together with a carrier, for example mannitol, for such solutions or suspensions to be produced prior to use. The pharmaceutical compositions may be sterilized and/or may comprise excipients, for example preservatives, stabilisers, wetting and/or emulsifying agents, solubilisers, salts for regulating the osmotic pressure and/or buffers, and are prepared in a manner known per se, for example by means of conventional dissolving or lyophilising processes. The said solutions or suspensions may comprise viscosity-increasing substances, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, poly vinylpyrrolidone or gelatin.

Suspensions in oil comprise as the oil component the vegetable, synthetic or semi-synthetic oils customary for injection purposes. There may be mentioned as such especially liquid fatty acid esters that contain as the acid component a long-chained fatty acid having from 8 to 22, especially from 12 to 22, carbon atoms, for example lauric acid, tridecylic acid, myristic acid, pentadecylic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid or corresponding unsaturated acids, for example oleic acid, elaidic acid, erucic acid, brasidic acid or linoleic acid, if desired with the addition of anti oxidants, for example vitamin E, β-carotene or 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene. The alcohol component of those fatty acid esters has a maximum of 6 carbon atoms and is a mono- or poly-hydroxy, for example a mono-, di- or tri-hydroxy, alcohol, for example methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol or pentanol or the isomers thereof, but especially glycol and glycerol. The following examples of fatty acid esters are there fore to be mentioned: ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, “Labrafil M 2375” (polyoxyethylene glycerol trioleate, Gattefossé, Paris), “Miglyol 812” (triglyceride of saturated fatty acids with a chain length of C₈ to C₁₂, Hüls AG, Germany), but especially vegetable oils, such as cottonseed oil, almond oil, olive oil, castor oil, sesame oil, soybean oil and more especially groundnut oil.

The injection compositions are prepared in customary manner under sterile conditions; the same applies also to introducing the compositions into ampoules or vials and sealing the containers.

Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration can be obtained by combining the active ingredient with solid carriers, if desired granulating a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture, if desired or necessary, after the addition of appropriate excipients, into tablets, dragée cores or capsules. It is also possible for them to be incorporated into plastics carriers that allow the active ingredients to diffuse or be released in measured amounts.

Suitable carriers are especially fillers, such as sugars, for example lactose, saccharose, mannitol or sorbitol, cellulose preparations and/or calcium phosphates, for example tricalcium phosphate or calcium hydrogen phosphate, and binders, such as starch pastes using for example corn, wheat, rice or potato starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone, and/or, if desired, disintegrates, such as the above-mentioned starches, also carboxymethyl starch, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, agar, alginic acid or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate. Excipients are especially flow conditioners and lubricants, for example silicic acid, talc, stearic acid or salts thereof, such as magnesium or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycol. Dragëe cores are provided with suitable, optionally enteric, coatings, there being used, inter alia, concentrated sugar solutions which may comprise gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and/or titanium dioxide, or coating solutions in suitable organic solvents, or, for the preparation of enteric coatings, solutions of suitable cellulose preparations, such as ethylcellulose phthalate or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate. Capsules are dry-filled capsules made of gelatin and soft sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticiser, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The dry-filled capsules may comprise the active ingredient in the form of granules, for example with fillers, such as lactose, binders, such as starches, and/or glidants, such as talc or magnesium stearate, and if desired with stabilisers. In soft capsules the active ingredient is preferably dissolved or suspended in suitable oily excipients, such as fatty oils, paraffin oil or liquid polyethylene glycols, it being possible also for stabilisers and/or antibacterial agents to be added. Dyes or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragée coatings or the capsule casings, for example for identification purposes or to indicate different doses of active ingredient.

The following Examples serve to illustrate the present invention, but should not be construed as a limitation thereof. The invention particularly relates to the specific embodiments (e.g. peptides, methods for their preparation, and assays as described in these Examples.

Abbreviations: Acrid=thioether resulting from the reaction of a Cys-sulfhydryl group in the peptide with 6-acryloyl-2-(dimethylamino)naphtalene; o/n=overnight; Aib: α-aminoisobutyric acid; Ac₃c: 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthesis of N-Acylated Peptide Derivatives

The below-identified peptides are synthesised on a Milligen 9050 automated peptide synthesizer (continuous flow; Millipore, Bedford, Mass., USA), starting with an Fmoc-PAL-PEG-PS resin (see Albericio, F. et al, J. Org. Chem., 55 (1990) 3730-3743) for establishing the C-terminal carboxamide, and using chemical protocols based on the fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chemistry (see E. Atherton and R. C. Sheppard, in Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis-A Practical Approach, eds: R. Rickwood and B. D. Hames, IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1989). The required Fmoc-amino acids (3 equivalents) are incorporated using their 2,4,5-trichlorophenyl esters (single coupling) with minimum reaction times of 30 min (see 9050 Plus PepSynthesizer User's Guide, Millipore Corporation, Bedford, Mass., 1992). Side chains are protected with the following groups:

-   -   tert-butyl for aspartic acid, glutamic acid, tyrosine, serine         and threonine;     -   tert-butyloxycarbonyl for lysine and tryptophan;     -   2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-chroman-6-sulfonyl for arginine;     -   trityl for histidine, cysteine, asparagine, and glutamine.

The complete peptide resins obtained after the final coupling reaction are simultaneously deprotected and cleaved by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid/water/ethanedithiol (76:4:20, v/v/v) for 3 h at room temperature. The complete peptide resins obtained after the final coupling reaction are simultaneously deprotected and cleaved by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid/water/ethanedithiol (76:4:20, v/v/v) for 3 h at room temperature. The filtrate from each cleavage reaction is precipitated in diisopropyl ether-petroleum ether (1:1, v/v) at 0° C., and the precipitates are collected by filtration. The crude compounds are dissolved in 2N AcOH/acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) to remove the N^(in)-carboxy group from the side chain of tryptophan. The course of the reactions is monitored by analytical reversed-phase HPLC. After 2 h at 40° C., the solutions are concentrated to dryness and the crude peptides are purified by reversed-phase medium-pressure liquid chromatography using a C₁₈ column eluted with an acetonitrile-water gradient containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (Merck LICHROPREP RP-18, 15-25 μm bead diameter, reversed phase column material based on C₁₈-derivatised silicagel, Merck, Darmstadt, FRG; column length 46 cm, diameter 3.6 cm; flow rate 53.3 ml/min; detection at 215 nm). Mass spectrometric analyses (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOF) reveal molecular masses within 0.1% of the expected values (positive or negative ion mode). Quantitative amino acid analyses of the final products reveal amino acid compositions within 5% of the expected values. The purity of the peptides is verified by reversed-phase analytical HPLC on a Nucleosil column (250×4.0 mm; 5 mm, 100): linear gradient over 10 min of MeCN/0.09% TFA and H₂O/0.1% TFA from 1:49 to 3:2; flow rate 2.0 ml/min, detection at 215 nm (HPLC System A); HPLC System B: linear gradient over 10 min of MeCN/0.09% TFA and H₂O/0.1% TFA from 1:49 to 1:0; flow rate 2.0 ml/min, detection at 215 nm.

The peptides are as follows:

-   -   Ac-Thr-Gly-Pro-Ala-Phe-Thr-His-Tyr-Trp-Ala-Thr-Phe-NH₂ (TFA         salt);

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1441.7 (calc. 1441.6, C₇₁H₉₂N₁₆O₁₇), t_(R) ^((retention time))=8.08 min (HPLC System A).

-   -   Ac-Met-Pro-Arg-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Gly-Leu-Asn-NH₂ (TFA         salt);

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1598.9 (calc. 1598.9, C₇₃H₁₀₁N₁₈O₁₉S₂), t_(R)=8.82 min (HPLC System A).

-   -   Ac-Gln-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂ (TFA         salt);

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1534.8 (calc. 1534.8, C₇₅H₁₀₅N₁₆O₁₉), t_(R)=8.73 min (HPLC System A).

-   -   Ac-Pro-Ala-Phe-Thr-His-Tyr-Trp-Pro-NH₂ (TFA salt);

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1060.3 (calc. 1060.2, C₅₄H₆₇N₁₂O₁₁), t_(R)=8.21 min (HPLC System A).

-   -   Ac-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Pro-NH₂

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1052.0 (calc. 1052.1, C₅₂H₆₃N₁₀O₁₄), t_(R)=7.97 (HPLC System A).

-   -   Ac-Pro-Arg-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Pro-NH₂ (TFA salt);

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1151.6 (calc. 1151.3, C₅₆H₇₂N₁₃O₁₂S₁), t_(R)=8.42 (HPLC System A).

-   -   Ac-Gln-Glu-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Lu-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂ (TFA salt)         (wild-type sequence)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1517.1 (calc. 1516.8, C₇₂H₁₀₇N₁₆O₂₀), t_(R)=9.30 (HPLC System A), t_(R)=6.65 (HPLC System B)

-   -   Ac-Gln-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Leu-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂ (TFA         salt)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1485.0 (calc. 1484.8, C₇₂H₁₀₇N₁₆O₁₈), t_(R)=9.32 (HPLC System A), t_(R)=6.66 (HPLC System B)

-   -   Ac-Gln-Glu-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂ (TFA         salt)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1567.3 (calc. 1566.8, C₇₅H₁₀₅N₁₆O₂₁), t_(R)=8.55 (HPLC System A), t_(R)=6.19 (HPLC System B).

-   -   Ac-Val-Gln-Asn-Phe-Ile-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Thr-Gln-Gln-Phe-NH₂

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1628.8 (calc. 1628.8, C₇₈H₁₀₃N₁₈O₂₁), t_(R)=7.03 (HPLC System A);

-   -   Ac-Ile-Asp-Arg-Ala-Pro-Thr-Phe-Arg-Asp-His-Trp-Phe-Ala-Leu-Val-NH₂         (TFA salt)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1883.9 (calc. 1884.2, C₈₉H₁₂₈N₂₅O₂₁), t_(R)=8.57 min (HPLC System A)

-   -   Ac-Pro-Arg-Pro-Ala-Leu-Val-Phe-Ala-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Thr-Leu-Tyr-NH₂         (TFA salt)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1881.6 (calc. 1881.2, C 92H₁₂₇N₂₀O₂₃), t_(R)=9.58 min (HPLC System A); t_(R)=6.88 min (HPLC System B).

-   -   Ac-Pro-Ala-Phe-Ser-Arg-Phe-Trp-Ser-Asp-Leu-Ser-Ala-Gly-Ala-His-NH₂         (TFA salt)

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1688.6 (calc. 1688.9, C₇₈H₁₀₇N₂₂O₂₁), t_(R)=9.09 min (HPLC System A); t_(R)=6.48 min (HPLC System B)

If desired, the peptide derivatives contain a free N-terminal amino group. Peptides with a free N-terminal amino group include:

-   -   H-Thr-Gly-Pro-Ala-Phe-Thr-His-Tyr-Trp-Ala-Thr-Phe-NH₂ (TFA salt)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1396.6 (calc. 1396.6, C₆₉H₈₇N₁₆O₁₆), t_(R)=7.86 min (HPLC System A).

-   -   H-Met-Pro-Arg-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Gly-Leu-Asn-NH₂ (TFA salt)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1556.6 (calc. 1556.8, C₇₁H₉₉N₁₈O₁₈S₂), t_(R)=7.92 min (HPLC System A).

Example 2 Synthesis of Cys(Acrld) Peptide Derivatives

I. Ac-Cys(Acrld)-Gly-Gln-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂ (TFA salt) Ac-Cys-Gly-Gln-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂ (TFA salt) is obtained analogously to Example 1 (Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1694.7 (calc. 1695.0, C₈₀H₁₁₃N₁₈O₂₁S₁), t_(R)=8.39 (HPLC System A)).

To a solution of Ac-Cys-Gly-Gln-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂ (18 μmol) in 20 ml of degassed phosphate buffer (pH=7.5) is added 6-acryloyl-2-(dimethylamino)naphtalene (2-fold excess: Molecular Probes, Inc., Leiden, The Netherlands) dissolved in 2 ml of acetonitrile. The solution is stirred overnight at room temperature under an argon atmosphere. After completion of the reaction, 1 ml of trifluoroacetic acid is added and the solution is concentrated to dryness. The compound is purified by reversed-phase medium-pressure liquid chromatography.

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1920.4 (calc. 1920.3, C₉₅H₁₂₈N₁₉O₂₂S₁), t_(R)=9.20 (HPLC System A); t_(R)=6.60 (HPLC System B).

II. Ac-Cys(Acrd)-Gly-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Leu-Trp-Pro-NH₂ (TFA salt) Ac-Cys-Gly-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Leu-Trp-Pro-NH₂ is obtained analogously to Example 1 (Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1162.0 (calc. 1162.3, C₅₄H₇₃N₁₂O₁₅S₁), t_(R)=8.00).

The title compound (II) is obtained analogously to the previous example (I).

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1387.6 (calc. 1387.6, C₆₉H₈₈N₁₃O₁₆S₁), t_(R)=9.63 (HPLC System A), t_(R)=6.87 (HPLC System B).

III. Ac-Cys(Acrd)-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Leu-Trp-Pro-NH₂ (TFA salt) Ac-Cys-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Leu-Trp-Pro-NH₂ is obtained analogously to Example 1. (Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1105.5 (calc. 1105.3, C₅₂H₇₀N₁₁O₁₄S₁), t_(R)=8.25 (HPLC System A).

The title compound is obtained analogously to the above example.

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1330.6 (calc. 1330.6, C₆₇H₈₅N₁₂O₁₅S₁), t_(R)=9.82 (HPLC System A); t_(R)=7.02 (HPLC System B).

Example 3 Synthesis of Biotinylated Peptide Derivatives

-   -   Biotin-Ser-Gly-Ser-Gly-Gln-Glu-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Leu-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂         (TFA salt) (wild-type sequence)

(+)-Biotin (3 equivalents; Fluka, Buchs, Switzerland) is coupled with N-[(dimethylamino)1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-1-ylmethylene]-N-methylmethan-aminium hexafluorophosphate N-oxide (3 equiv.; double coupling; PerSeptive Biosystems, Hamburg, Germany) in the presence of diisopropylethylamine (6 equiv.)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1989.5 (calc. 1989.3, C₉₀H₁₃₅N₂₂O₂₇S₁), t_(R)=9.02 (HPLC System A), t_(R)=6.55 (HPLC System B)

-   -   Biotin-Ser-Gly-Ser-Gly-Gln-Pro-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Leu-TrpLys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂         (TFA salt).

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1957.9 (calc. 1957.3, C₉₀H₁₃₅N₂₂O₂₅S₁), t_(R)=9.04 (HPLC System A), t_(R)=6.57 (HPLC System B).

-   -   Biotin-Ser-Gly-Ser-Gly-Gln-Glu-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-NH₂         (TFA salt).

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 2039.3 (calc. 2039.3, C₉₃H₁₃₃N₂₂O₂₈S₁), t_(R)=8.46 (HPLC System A).

-   -   Biotin-Ser-Met-Pro-Arg-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Gly-Leu-Asn-Arg-Gln-Ile-Lys-Ile-Trp-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Arg-Met-Lys-Trp-Lys-Lys-NH₂         (TFA salt)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 4098.4 (calc. 4099.0, C₁₈₈H₂₈₄N₅₅O₄₁ S₄), t_(R)=9.08 min (HPLC System A); t_(R)=6.41 min (System B). This derivative comprises a biotin label, serine as spacer, a peptide of the invention and the penetratin sequence Arg-Gln-Ile-Lys-Ile-Trp-Phe-Gln-Asn-Arg-Arg-Met-Lys-Trp-Lys-Lys from the homeodomain of the Antennapedia protein (D. Derossi, J. Biol. Chem. 269, 10444-10450 (1994)).

-   -   Ac-Ala-Ala-Val-Ala-Leu-Leu-Pro-Ala-Val-Leu-Leu-Ala-Leu-Leu-Ala-Pro-βAla-Met-Pro-Arg-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Gly-Leu-Asn-βAla-Lys(Biotin)-NH₂         (TFA salt)

The peptide contains the internalization vector: Ala-Ala-Val-Ala-Leu-Leu-Pro-Ala-Val-Leu-Leu-Ala-Leu-Leu-Ala-Pro (Lin et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270, 14255-14258 (1995)).

The peptide is synthesised as described in Example 1 using N^(a)-Fmoc-Lys(Aloc)-OH. After the incorporation of the last residue, the side chain of lysine is selectively deprotected with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) in the presence of trimethylsilylacetate and 4-(trimethylsilyl)morpholine dissolved in dichloromethane. The deprotection is carried out in an argon atmosphere for 2 h at room temperature, followed by washing with dichloromethane (4×1 min), N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (4×1 min), 0.05 M sodium diethyldithiocarbamate in DMF containing 0.5% of diisopropylethylamine (4×1 min), and N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (4×1 min). The incorporation of (+)-biotin to the side chain of lysine is mediated by N-[dimethylamino) 1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b)pyridin-1-ylmethylene]-N-methylmethan-aminium hexafluorophosphate N-oxide in the presence of diisopropyl ethylamine. Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 3593.7 (calc. 3593.4, C₁₆₉H₂₆₅N₄₀O₄₀S₃), t_(R)=9.15 (HPLC System B).

Example 4 Cyclic Peptide Derivatives Containing Disulphide Bond

Cyclic peptides containing a disulphide bond are synthesized from the respective cysteinyl peptides as follows: the cysteinyl peptide (20 mg; in the following referred to as starting compound) is dissolved in a 0.1 M solution of ammonium bicarbonate (20 ml). The mixture is left to stand open to atmosphere. Aliquots of the solution are removed at different times and analysed by analytical HPLC. After 24 h, the reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness. The crude compound is dissolved in water and injected directly in a medium-pressure liquid chromatography system as described above, and the title compound is obtained.

Ac-Cys-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Cys-NH₂ is obtained analogously to Example 1. Starting compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1064.6 (calc. 1064.2, C₄₈H₅₉N₁₀O₁₄S₂), t_(R)=8.15 (HPLC System A). Ac-Cys-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Cys-NH₂      S---------------------------------------S

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1062.2 (calc. 1062.2, C₄₈H₅₇N₁₀O₁₄S₂), t_(R)=7.96 (HPLC System A).

Ac-Cys-Ala-Phe-Thr-His-Tyr-Trp-Cys-NH₂ (TFA salt);

Starting compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1070.0 (calc. 1070.2, C₅₀H₆₁N₁₂O₁₁S₂), t_(R)=8.35 (HPLC System A). Ac-Cys-Ala-Phe-Thr-His-Tyr-Trp-Cys-NH₂ (TFA salt)      S---------------------------------------S

Mass spectral analysis (positive-ion mode): 1070.4 (calc. 1070.2, C₅₀H₆₁N₁₂O₁₁S₂). t_(R)=8.13 min (HPLC System A).

Ac-Cys-Arg-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Cys-NH₂ (TFA salt)

Starting compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1163.7 (calc. 1163.4, C₅₂H₆₈N₁₃O₁₂S₃), t_(R)=8.67 (HPLC System A). Ac-Cys-Arg-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Cys-NH₂ (TFA salt)      S---------------------------------------S

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1161.1 (calc. 1161.4, C₅₂H₆₆N₁₃O₁₂S₃), t_(R)=8.33 min (HPLC System A).

As an alternative to cysteine, penicillamine (β,β-dimethyl-cysteine) can be used. Also, L-cysteine may be changed for D-cysteine either at the N- or C-terminus, or in both sides. Peptides containing thioether bridges are formed from starting compounds having a free cysteine residue at the C-terminus and a bromo-containing building block at the N-terminus (e.g., bromo-acetic acid). Cyclisation can be carried out on solid phase by a selective deprotection of the side chain of cysteine (Mayer, J. P. et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 361411, 7387-7390 (1995)).

Example 5 Synthesis of Lactam Peptide Derivatives

The peptide is synthesised manually on a 4-(2′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl-aminomethyl)-phenoxy-resin (Novabiochem, Läufelfingen, Switzerland), employing the fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl strategy. Fmoc-removal is with piperidine/dimethylacetamide (1:4, v/v; 6×2 min), followed by washing with methanol (3×1 min), N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (2×1 min), methanol (3×1 min), and N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (3×2 min). Amino acid side chains are protected with the following groups: tert-butyl for threonine, serine, aspartic acid and tyrosine; 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-chroman-6-sulfonyl for arginine; tert-butyloxycarbonyl for tryptophan; allyl for glutamic acid; and allyloxycarbonyl for lysine. The required Fmoc-derivatives of tryptophan, tyrosine, threonine, serine, aspartic acid, arginine, methionine, phenylalanine and alanine are incorporated using their 2,4,5-trichlorophenyl esters (2 equiv.) in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (2 equiv.) and diisopropylethylamine (0.75 equiv.). The incorporation of N^(α)-Fmoc-Lys(Aloc)-OH (2 equiv.; PerSeptive Biosystems, Hamburg, Germany) and N^(α)-Fmoc-Glu(OAII)-OH (2 equiv.; Millipore, Bedford, Mass., U.S.A.) is accomplished with benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate/1-hydroxybenzotriazole (1:1; 2 equiv.) in the presence of diisopropylethylamine (4 equiv.) Coupling is achieved by first dissolving the Fmoc-amino acid, diisopropylethylamine, and the coupling reagent in N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one, then waiting 3 min for preactivation, adding the mixture to the resin, and finally shaking for at least 45 min. After the incorporation of the last residue, the side chains of glutamic acid and lysine are selectively deprotected with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0) (Fluka, Buchs, Switzerland) in the presence of trimethylsilylacetate and 4-(trimethylsilyl)morpholine dissolved in dichloromethane. The deprotection is carried out in an argon atmosphere for 2 h at room temperature, followed by washing with dichloromethane (4×1 min), N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (4×1 min), 0.05 M sodium diethyldithiocarbamate in DMF containing 0.5% of diisopropylethylamine (4×1 min), and N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (4×1 min). Intramolecular cyclisation on the solid support is accomplished with benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphoniumhexafluorophosphate/1-hydroxybenzotriazole (1:1; 6 equiv.; double coupling) in the presence of diisopropylethylamine (12 equiv.). The complete peptide resin obtained after the cyclisation step is simultaneously deprotected and cleaved by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid/water/ethanedithiol (76:4:20, v/v/v) for 3 h at room temperature. The filtrate is precipitated in diisopropyl ether-petroleum ether (1:1, v/v) at 0° C., and the precipitate is collected by filtration. The crude compound is dissolved in 2N AcOH/acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) to remove the N^(in)-carboxy group from the side chain of tryptophan. The courses of the reactions are monitored by analytical reversed-phase HPLC. After 2 h at 40° C., the solution is concentrated to dryness and the crude peptide is purified by medium-pressure liquid chromatography as described above. Ac-Glu-Thr-Phe-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Lys-NH₂ (TFA salt)      ---------------CO-NH--------------

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1097.5 (calc. 1097.2, C₅₃H₆₆N₁₁O₁₅), t_(R)=7.49 min (HPLC System A). Ac-Glu-Arg-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Lys-NH₂ (TFA salt)      ---------------CO-NH----------------

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1196.7 (calc. 1196.4, C₅₇H₇₅N₁₄O₁₃S₁), t_(R)=8.09 min (HPLC System A).

As an alternative to glutamic acid, it is possible to use aspartic acid. As an alternative to lysine, ornithine or diaminobutyric acid may be used. As an alternative to side-side cyclisation, it is possible to make a lactam between the side chain of aspartic acid or glutamic acid at the C-terminus and the α-amino group of the N-terminal amino acid. This approach can also be expanded to β-amino acids (e.g., β-alanine).

The following peptides are synthesised as described in Example 1:

-   -   Ac-Phe-Met-Aib-Tyr-Trp-Aib-Gly-Leu-NH₂

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1026.5 (calc. 1026.3, C₅₂H₆₉N₁₀O₁₀S₁), t_(R)=7.81 (HPLC System B).

-   -   Ac-Arg-Phe-Met-Aib-Tyr-Trp-Aib-Gly-Leu-NH₂

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1182.6 (calc. 11182.4, C₅₈H₈₁N₁₄O₁₁S₁), t_(R)=7.09 (HPLC System B).

-   -   Ac-Arg-Phe-Met-Aib-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Ac₃c-Leu-NH₂ (TFA salt)

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1252.7 (calc. 1252.5, C₆₁H₈₃N₁₄O₁₃S₁), t_(R)=6.91 (HPLC System B).

-   -   Ac-Phe-Met-Aib-Tyr-Trp-Aib-Ac₃c-Leu-NH₂

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1052.3 (calc. 1052.3, C₅₄H₇₁N₁₀O₁₀S₁), t_(R)=8.03 (HPLC System B).

-   -   Ac-Phe-Met-Aib-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Ac₃c-Leu-NH₂

The peptide is synthesised as described in Example 5. The incorporation of N^(α)-Fmoc-1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (2 equiv.) is carried out with benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate/N-hydroxybenzotriazole (1:1; 2 equiv.) in the presence of diisopropylethylamine (5 equiv.). N^(a)-Fmoc-aminoisobutyric acid (2 equiv.) is coupled with benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate/N-hydroxybenzotriazole (1:1; 2 equiv.; first coupling) and N-[(dimethylamino)-1H-1,2,3-triazolo-[4,5-b]pyridin-1-ylmethylene]-N-methylmethanaminium hexa fluorophosphate N-oxide (2 equiv.; second coupling) in the presence of diisopropyl ethylamine (5 equiv.). A second coupling for glutamic acid and methionine (2 equiv.) is performed with N-[(dimethylamino)-1H-1,2,3-triazolo-[4,5-b]pyridin-1-ylmethylene]-N-methylmethanaminium hexafluorophosphate N-oxide (2 equiv.; second coupling) in the presence of diisopropylethylamine (5 equiv.). The complete peptide resin obtained after the final coupling reaction is simultaneously deprotected and cleaved by treatment with trifluoro acetic acid/H₂O (95:5, v/v) for 3 h at room temperature. The filtrate from the cleavage reaction is precipitated in diisopropyl ether/petroleum ether (1:1, v/v, 0° C.), and the precipitate collected by filtration. The crude peptide is purified as described in Example 1.

Title compound: Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1096.4 (calc. 1096.3, C₅₅H₇₁N₁₀O₁₂S₁), t_(R)=7.62 (HPLC System B).

The starting material is prepared as follows:

-   a) N^(a)-Fmoc-1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid

The title compound is synthesised starting from 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (Fluka, Buchs, Switzerland) according to a procedure known in the art (see E. Atherton et al., in: Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis—A Practical Approach; D. Rickwood and B. D. Hames, IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1989): R_(f)=0.44 (chloroform:methanol:water:acetic acid=850:130:15:5, v/v/v/v). m.p.=223-225° C.

Example 6 Synthesis of Peptide Fragment Derivatives

The below identified peptide fragment derivatives are sythesised analogously to the method described in Example 1 above:

-   -   Ac-Arg-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Gly-Leu-NH₂ (TFA salt)

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1256.4 (calc. 1256.4, C₅₉H₇₉N₁₄O₁₅S₁), t_(R)=8.69 (HPLC System A), t_(R)=7.02 (HPLC System B).

-   -   Ac-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Gly-Leu-NH₂

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1100.5 (calc. 1100.3, C₅₃H₆₇N₁₀O₁₄S₁), t_(R)=9.38 (HPLC System A), t_(R)=6.76 (HPLC System B).

-   -   Ac-Phe-Met-Aib-Tyr-Trp-Glu-Gly-Leu-NH₂

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1070.4 (calc. 1070.3, C₅₃H₆₉N₁₀O₁₂S₁), t_(R)=7.14 (HPLC System B).

-   -   Ac-Phe-Met-Asp-Tyr-Trp-Aib-Gly-Leu-NH₂

Mass spectral analysis (negative-ion mode): 1056.2 (calc. 1056.2, C₅₂H₆₇N₁₀O₁₂S₁), t_(R)=7.07 (HPLC System B).

Example 7 Fluorescence Assay

The DNA region of the mdm2 gene encoding the first 188 amino acids of the protein is obtained by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the mdm2 gene. The oligonucleotides used for PCR are designed such that a BamHI restriction site is introduced at the 5′ extremity of the gene and an EcoRI restriction site at its 3′ end. The PCR fragments digested by BamHI and EcoRI are ligated with a BamHI/EcoRI cleaved pGEX-2T vector. The resulting vector comprises a fusion gene consisting of the full length sequence of glutathione-S-transferase of S. japonicum, a linker sequence, and the N-terminal 188 amino acids of HDM2, in the 5′ to 3′ order. The complete gene is sequenced on both strands and the recombinant plasmid is introduced into E. coli strain BL21 (Novagen).

Glutathione-S-transferase protein (for control experiments) is obtained from E. coli strain BL21 (Novagen) transformed with pGEX-2T plasmid.

The test compound (c=50 nM), e.g. a fluorogenic peptide described in Example 4, is titrated with different amounts of the GST-hdm2 protein (c=0, 50 nM, 200 nM, and 300 nM).

The fluorescence emission spectra (λ_(ex)=370 nm) are recorded in a spectrofluorophotometer at 20° C. The instrument setting during the titration is identical so that the fluorescence intensifies in the presence or absence of the GST-hdm2 protein can be compared. A stock solution of the fluorogenic peptide is prepared in a PBS buffer (pH=7.6) containing 10% glycerol, 1% Triton 100, 50 mM NaCl and BSA (1 mg/ml). The peptide (c=50 nM) is incubated for 30 min with different amounts of the GST-hdm2 protein. After this time, the fluorescence emission spectrum is recorded. The addition of the GST-hdm2 protein to the solution containing the fluorogenic peptide results in an increase in the emission fluorescence of the fluorogenic peptide at 530 nm. The fluorescence emission spectra of the GST-hdm2 protein (c=50-300 nM) is identical to the fluorescence emission spectra of the buffer, so the protein does not contribute to the observed increase in emission fluorescence.

This assay is applicable to the detection of specific interactions of peptides or low molecular weight compounds with the MDM2 protein. In addition, it allows accurate kinetic measurements in solution.

Example 8 Identification of MDM2 Binding Peptides by Phage Display

In deviation from the previous definition, in the following Examples “hdm2” refers to the human double minute gene2 and the corresponding protein.

Phage Selection

The phage libraries used in this study display random peptide sequences of six, twelve or fifteen amino acid residues at the N-terminus of the minor coat protein III. These libraries are provided by George Smith (University of Missouri, 6 and 15 mer) and William Dower (Affymax Research Institute, 12 mer). In a biopanning procedure library samples are screened on solid phase GST-hdm2 (hdm2 comprising amino acids 1-188). Polystyrene petri dishes (Falcon 3001) are coated with 5 μg/ml GST-hdm2 or DO-1 (monoclonal anti-p53 antibody) overnight at 4° C. in a humidity chamber. Unbound material is washed off with 2.5 ml PBS and the dishes are blocked with 2 ml TBST-M (150 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 0.1% (v/v) Tween20, 5% (w/v) low fat milk powder) for 1 h at 4° C. The petri dishes are washed three times with 2.5 ml PBS and 500 μl phage suspension containing 1×10¹¹ (6 and 12 mer libraries) or 7.5×10¹² TU (transforming units) is added and allowed to bind for 3 h at 4° C. After washing ten times with 2.5 ml TBST, bound phages are eluted with 400 μl elution buffer (0.1 N HCl-glycine pH2.2, 1 mg/ml BSA) for 20 min. The eluates are neutralized with 24 μl 2M Tris base and used to infect 2.5 ml log-phase E. coli K91 cells (50 min; 37° C.). The whole suspension is transfered into 50 ml Falcon tubes with 10 ml 2×YT medium containing 20 μg/ml tetracycline (2×YT, Tet) and incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. with shaking. The cultures are spun to remove the bacteria and the phage particles are purified from the supernatant by PEG precipitation. The phage pellets are resuspended in 1 ml TBS and aliquots are used for a second round of biopanning which is carried out as for the first with the following modifications:

100 μl amplified phage (2×10¹¹ TU) are reacted with GST-hdm2, MBP-hdm2 or DO-1 which has been absorbed in wells of a 96-well PVC assay plate at a concentration of 5 μg/ml. Amplified and purified phages from this round of biopanning are tested in an ELISA on the proteins used for their selection. For single clone screening E. coli K91 cells are infected with appropriate phage dilutions and spread on LB agar with 20 μg/ml tetracycline. Single colonies are transfered to wells of a 96-well tissue culture plate containing 200 μl 2×YT medium with 20 μg/ml tetracycline per well. Phage supernatant is collected for ELISA screening after a 24 hour incubation at 37° C. with shaking. ELISA positive clones are grown up as 2 ml bacterial cultures in 2×YT medium with 20 μg/ml tetracycline for 24 hours. Phage are PEG precipitated and redissolved in 200 μl TBS buffer. Phage DNA is extracted with phenol/chloroform and ethanol precipitated. The DNA pellet is redissolved in 10 μl water and used as template for sequencing (Sequenase).

Phage Elisa

Solid phase hdm2

PVC assay plates are coated with 100 μl antigen (GST-hdm2, MBP-hdm2, GST, MBP, or DO-1) at 5 μg/ml in PBS overnight at 4° C. and blocked with 200 μl PBST-M (PBS, containing 5% (w/v) fat-tree dried milk and 0.1%.(v/v) Tween 20) for one hour at room temperature. 100 μl phage suspension (supernatant or PEG concentrated phage) is diluted in PBST-M and added for three hours at 4° C. Bound phages are reacted with 100 μl HRP-labelled sheep anti-M13 antibody (Pharmacia) for one hour at room temperature followed by substrate development with 100 μl TMB/H₂O₂ (0.1 mg/ml TMB, 0.3% H₂O₂ in 0.1 M Na-acetate, pH 6.0) for 15 min. The reaction is stopped by adding 100 μl 1M sulphuric acid to the substrate and the absorbance is measured at 450 nm. All washings between the incubation steps are done with tap water.

Solution Phase hdm2

GST-, MBP-, TRX-hdm2 or baculovirus produced mdm2 (Sf9 cell extract) diluted in PBST-M are reacted in solution with hdm2- or GST-binding phage overnight at 4° C. Simultaneously, ELISA plates are coated with 100 μl Rabbit anti-mouse antibodies (DAKO, Z0259) 1:1000 in 0.1 M NaHCO₃, pH 9.6. The plates are blocked as usual and incubated with monoclonal anti-mdm2 antibodies (hybridoma supernatant 1:5 diluted in PBST-M) for one hour. For the titration ELISA, purified SMP14 (8 μg/ml in PBS) is used to coat the plate directly. In either case, the pre-incubated phage-hdm2 samples are transfered to the coated and blocked plate and incubated for two hours at room temperature. Bound phages are detected as described.

Results

Phage pools which have been recovered from two rounds of biopanning on solid phase GST- and MBP-hdm2 or DO-1 using samples of 6, 12, or 15 mer phage display libraries are screened in ELISAs for antigen binding. Phage from 12 and 15 mer libraries selected twice with GST-hdm2 or once with GST-hdm2 followed by MBP-hdm2 clearly bind to GST-hdm2, whereas the 6 mer pool is completely negative. On the other hand, monoclonal anti-p53 antibody DO-1 is able to select phages from all three libraries proving the integrity of the 6 mer library.

To determine whether phages specific for hdm2 are selected, the phage pools are tested against MBP-hdm2, GST and MBP. Both, 12 and 15 mer pools contain hdm2 binding phages (positive for MBP-hdm2, but negative for MBP alone). In addition, 15 mer phages twice biopanned with GST-hdm2 (GST/GST-hdm2) are strongly selected for GST-binders. In the 15 mer pool which is panned on MBP-hdm2 in the second round (GST/MBP-hdm2) the anti-GST signal is reduced, probably because GST is no longer present as a selecting antigen. GST does not pull out any phage from the 12 mer library. Single phage clones are grown from 12 and 15 mer pools and tested for GST, GST-hdm2 and MBP-hdm2 binding. Many clones are clearly positive with GST-hdm2 and MBP-hdm2. Phage clones from the 12 and 15 mer pools which are shown to be positive with GST- and MBP-hdm2 are selected for further analysis. Phage DNA is extracted from each clone and the nucleotide inserts are sequenced. From 28 clones 6 unique insert sequences are obtained (amino acid sequences given in single letter code): md2 binding site P L S Q E T F S D L W K L L P E N N V on human p53 phage clone 12/1 M P R F M D Y W E G L N phage clone 12/2 V Q N F I D Y W T Q Q F phage clone 12/5 T G P A F T H Y W A T F phage clone 15/1 I D R A P T F R D H W F A L V phage clone 15/5 P R P A L V F A D Y W E T L Y phage clone BB3 P A F S R F W S D L S A G A H phage consensus P X F X D Y W X X L

Aligning the corresponding amino acid sequences to each other reveals the phage consensus sequence P X F X D Y W X X L. It shows similarity to the known mdm2 binding motif on p53, T F S D L W (amino acid residues 18-23 of human p53; Picksley et al., Oncogene 9, 2523-2529 (1994) which reference is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All phage sequences contain the phenylalanine (F) and Tryptophan (W), and 4 out of 6 the aspartic acid (D) and leucine (L) found in the same position in the mdm2 motif. A strong selection for tyrosine (Y) and proline (P) in the phage sequences is not met by corresponding residues in the p53 sequence, although 2 successive prolines are found further upstream of the mdm2 binding site.

Further experiments are designed to evaluate the specificity of the hdm2-phage interaction and to prove that p53 and hdm2 phage bind to the same region on hdm2. For these experiment clones BB2/BB11 (GST binding control phage) and BB3/BB10 (hdm2 phage) are chosen. Phages are preincubated in solution with GST-hdm2, MBP-hdm2 or TRX-hdm2 and the phage-hdm2 complexes are transfered to wells which contain different monoclonal anti-mdm2 antibodies bound to the solid phase via anti-mouse antibodies. Bound phages are detected. As expected, GST-phages are able to bind only to GST-hdm2. All three anti-mdm2 antibodies used (SMP14, 4B2, 3G5) are able to bind to hdm2 complexed with GST-phage. Antibody SMP14 is commercially available and described in Picksley et al., Oncogene 9, 2523-2529 (1994) incorporated by reference above. Antibodies 3G5 and 4B2 are described in Chen, J. et al., Mol. Cell Bio., vol. 13, 4107-4114 (1993) also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. On the other hand, the hdm2-phage recognizes all three hdm2 fusion proteins including TRX-hdm2 never used for the phage selection (biopanning). The hdm2-phage complexes are efficiently pulled down by SMP14 and 4B2, but 3G5 is hardly able to bind to these complexes. It has been shown that mdm2-p53 complexes cannot be bound by 3G5, probably because the epitope of this antibody lies within the p53 binding domain of mdm2. Another experiment shows that hdm2-phages but not GST-phages are able to inhibit the interaction between hdm2 and TIP. TIP is thioredoxin with the mdm2 binding sequence of p53 inserted into its active site. In order to estimate the relative affinities of the different phage clones towards hdm2, a dilution series of GST-hdm2 is offered in solution to a fixed amount of phages. Phage-hdm2 complexes are pulled down by solid phase SMP14 and bound phages are detected. All phage clones tested show a very similar strong binding to GST-hdm2 with a half-maximal binding concentration of 0.5 to 10 nM GST-hdm2, dependent on the hdm2 preparation used. Experiments with baculovirus produced mdm2 (Sf9 cell extract) prove that the phage clones selected with hdm2 are able to bind to its mouse homologue as well.

The phage sequences and a consensus sequence are produced as free peptides and tested for their relative capacity to block the interaction of MDM2 with p53 in three different ELISA formats. The new consensus sequence and some of the phage derived peptides show a remarkable increase in specific activity over the wild type p53 peptide sequence.

Materials and Methods for Protein Expression

1. Thioredoxin(Thio)-fusions

The clones are produced using the Invitrogen-Expression system. Using Bluescript containing the hdm2 gene as a template, PCR is carried out with the following primers (5′-3′): START2 primer: gcg gat ccg atg gtg agg agc agg caa atg STOP1 (to N221): gcc tgc agc cta att cga tgg cgt ccc tgt aga STOP2 (full length): gc ctg cag cta ggg gaa ata agt tag cac aat STOP3 (to D294): gc ctg cag cta atc ttc ttc aaa tga atc tgt START3 primer (from D294): ggg gat cct gaa att tcc tta gct gac.

The resulting PCR products are cloned into pCR II (TA cloning kit, Invitrogen). The resulting plasmids are cleaved with BamH1 and PstI. The products are ligated into the BamH1/PstI cleaved pTrxFus. The plasmid is introduced into E. coli G1724. The following clones are obtained:

-   1. clone ⅛ Thio-MVRSRQ-MI . . . N221 -   2. clone ⅜ Thio-MVRSRQ-MI . . . D294 -   3. clone {fraction (2/7)} Thio-MVRSRQ-MI . . . C478     2. Maltose Binding Protein (MBP)-Fusion

The PCR product is obtained using the STOP1 primer described above with START1: gc gga tcc atg gtg agg agc agg caa atg.

It is again cloned into pCR II. The plasmid is cut with BamH1 and PstI. The products are ligated into BamH1/PstI cleaved pMALc2 (New England Biolabs). The plasmids are then introduced into E. coli INV(F′ cells (One ShotTMcompetent cell kit, Invitrogen).

Clone 4 (MBP-MVRSRQ-M1 . . . N221) is obtained.

3. GST-Fusion Protein

A plasmid containing wild type hdm2 is used as a template in PCR. The primers are designed such that a BamH1 site is introduced into the 5′ end and a EcoR1 site into the 3′ end of the gene. The PCR products are digested and ligated into pGEX-2T (Pharmacia). The plasmid is then introduced into E. coli BL21 cells.

Protein Expression:

1. Thioredoxin-Fusionproteins

Cells are grown in RM medium (1×M9 salts, 2% Casamino acids, 1% glycerol, 1 mM MgCl₂, 100 g/ml ampicillin) overnight at 30° C. They are then inoculated into fresh Induction medium (1×M9 salts, 0.2% Casamino acids, 0.5% glucose, 1 mM MgCl₂, 100 g/ml ampicillin to a dilution of {fraction (1/20)}. Cells are then grown to an OD of 0.25 to 0.5 at 30° C. The culture is transfered to 37° C. and induced with L-Tryptophan at a final concentration of 100 g/ml. After 3 h cells are harvested by centrifugation. The pellets are resuspended in ice cold 20 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8, 2.5 mM EDTA with protease inhibitors (1 mM PMSF, 1 mM benzamidine, leupeptin, approtinin and pepstatin at 10 g/ml each. The cells are lysed by sonication, shock freezing, quick thawing. The cycle is repeated two more times. The lysate is then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 15 min at 4° C. The supernatant is used.

2. Maltose Binding Protein-Fusions

Cells are grown in rich Medium with glucose and ampicillin (10 g tryptone, 5 g yeast extract, 5 g NaCl, 2 g glucose and 100 g/ml ampicillin to an OD of 0.5. They are then induced with IPTG at a final concentration of 0.3 mM. Incubation is continued at 37° C. for another 2 h. Cells are harvested by centrifugation and resuspended in column buffer ({fraction (1/20)}th of original volume, 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4; 200 mM NaCl; 1 mM EDTA; 1 mM DTT plus protease inhibitors as mentioned above. Cells are frozen over night at −20° C. They are thawed in cold water, sonicated on ice in short pulses of 6×10 seconds and spun at 9000 rpm for 30 min at 4° C. The supernatant is diluted ⅕ with column buffer and loaded on an amylose resin (New England Biolabs, 15 ml, prepared in column buffer). Elution is carried out with column buffer+10 mM Maltose. Active fractions are pooled, concentrated and desalted on a 10 DG column (BioRad). They are stored in 50 mM Tris/Hcl pH 7.4, 50 mM NaCl, 20% glycerol, 1 mM DTT.

3. GST-hdm2 (1-188)

Bacteria cultures are grown to OD 0.8. They are cooled to RT and induced with 1 mM IPTG, then grown for 4 h at 27° C. Cells are harvested and pellets flash frozen in liquid nitrogen. Pellets are resuspended in ice cold buffer A (0.5 M NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl, 10 mM Na₂HPO₄, 1.8 mM KH₂PO₄, 1 mM PMSF, 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, pH 7.3). They are lysed by a French press or alternatively by sonication. After centrifugation the soluble traction is loaded onto a glutathione sepharose 4B column (Pharmacia) equilibrated with buffer A. The protein is then eluted with buffer B (50 mM Tris/HCl, 10 mM reduced glutathione, 0.5 M NaCl, 1 mM EDTA. 1 mM PMSF or benzamidine, 10 mM 2-mercaptoethanol or 1 mM DTT, pH 8.0.) Active fractions are desalted on Sephadex G25 or 10 DG (BioRad) preequilibrated with buffer C (50 mM Tris/HCl, 50 mM NaCl, 20% glycerol, 10 mM 2-mercaptoethanol or 1 mM DTT, 0.1% Triton x-100, pH 7.6). The protein is used for Elisas or further purified on a Mono 0 column (Pharmacia) preequilibrated with buffer C. The protein is eluted with a linear gradient of buffer C containing 1 M NaCl. The fractions containing fusionprotein are pooled, concentrated (Centricon 30), flash frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −70° C.

Elisas

Three different Elisas are employed to analyze the interaction between hdm2 and p53. They are named according to the reagent which is used to coat the Elisa plates. All Elisas are carried out at 4° C.

1. Elisa P2

P2 is a biotinylated peptide consisting of 18 amino acids of the Terminal part of p53,

-   namely: Biotin-S-G-S-G-E-P-P-L-S-Q-E-T-F-S-D-L-W-K-L-L-P-E

Plates are incubated overnight with 10 μg/ml streptavidin at 37° C. They are blocked with 2% BSA in PBS for 1 h. Peptide is applied at 5 μg/ml in blocking solution for 1 h. A second blocking step is carried out with 5% milk, 0.1% Tween20 in PBS (blocking solution2) for a minimum of 10 min. Hdm2fusionproteins are diluted in blocking solution2 and applied for 1 h. Bound hdm2 is detected with SMP 14 hybridoma cell supernatant diluted ½ in block solution2. HRP-anti-mouse IgG (DAKO) is used as second antibody. Washing between incubations is carried out 6 times with tap water.

2. Elisa TIP

TIP is thioredoxin which has additional amino acids inserted into its active site. These are derived from the N-terminus of p53 and are the following:

-   P-P-L-S-Q-E-T-F-S-D-L-W-K-L-L-P-E-N.

The following are used P1: 5′ gt ccg cct ctg agt cag gaa aca ttt tca gac cta tgg aaa cta ctt cct gaa aac g 3′ P2: 5′ g acc gtt ttc agg aag tag ttt cca tag gtc tga aaa atg ttt cct gac tca gag gcg 3′

10 ng of each P1 and P2 are phosphorylated using PNK and annealed for 1 h at 37° C. The vector pTRX (InVitrogen) is cleaved with Rsril and dephosphorylated. After ligation the plasmids are introduced into E. coli 1724 cells.

Plasmid containing bacteria are grown in RM medium at 30° C. and induced with L-Trp as described earlier. A soluble lysate is made by freeze-thaw-sonication cycles. This lysate is then heat shocked at 80° C. for 10 min. The soluble fraction is used to coat Elisa-plates at a concentration of 40 μg/ml in PBS o/n. Plates are blocked in blocking solution2 for 1 h. Incubation with hdm2 fusionproteins and detection is carried out as described for Elisa P2.

3. Elisa hdm2

Plates are coated with 2.6 μg/ml GST-hdm2(1-188) in PBS at 4° C. o/n. They are blocked in blocking solution 2 for 1 h. Full length p53, lysozyme lysate from E. coli, purified on heparin-sepharose is applied in blocking solution2 with 10% glycerol and 10 mM DTT for 1 h. Binding is established with mAb 421 and HRP coupled anti mouse IgG.

HRP activity is measured using TMB. For inhibition Elisas inhibitors are preincubated with either hdm2-fusionproteins or p53 for 15 min before the mixture is transfered to the plate. Peptide inhibitors are dissolved in DMSO.

Example 9 Purification of p53 D30

The human wild type p53 gene is used as a template for PCR to obtain the gene fragment encoding for residues 1 to 362 of the 393 amino acids of natural (human) p53 (p53D30). The oligonucleotides used for PCR are designed such that a NdeI restriction site is introduced at the 5′ end and a BamHI site at the 3′ end. The PCR fragments digested by NdeI and BamHI are ligated with a NdeI/BamHI cleaved pET-3a plasmid. The complete gene is sequenced and the expression plasmid is introduced into E. coli strain BL21 (DE3)pLysS (Novagen).

For protein expression bacteria cultures are inoculated by a 100-fold diluted overnight culture and grown in Luria Broth medium in the presence of 100 μg ampicillin/ml at 37° C. to OD₆₀₀=0.8. The cultures are then cooled on ice to room temperature, induced with 1 mM isopropyl-D-thiogalactopyranoside and grown for four additional hours at 27° C. The cells are then harvested by centrifugation and the pellets flash frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −70° C.

The cell pellets containing the p53D30 protein are resuspended in ice cold buffer D (50 mM 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-piperazine-ethane-sulfonic acid (Hepes.NaOH), 10% (v/v) glycerol, 0.1 mM EDTA, 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100, 5 mM 1,4-dithio-DL-threitol (DTT), 1 mM PMSF−pH=7.6) and lysed with a French press at 1000 psi. After centrifugation, the soluble fraction is loaded onto a HiTrap Heparin column (Pharmacia Biotech) preequilibrated at 4° C. with buffer D. The column is first washed with buffer D containing 22% buffer E (50 mM Hepes.NaOH, 1 M KCl, 10% (v/v) glycerol−pH=7.6) and p53D30 is eluted with a linear gradient to 100% buffer E. The fractions containing p53D30 are pooled and loaded onto a HiTrap metal chelation column (Pharmacia Biotech) charged with nickel and preequilibrated at 4° C. with buffer F (50 mM Hepes.NaOH, 0.5 M KCl, 10% (v/v) glycerol−pH=7.6). After washing the column with buffer F containing 20% buffer G (50 mM Hepes.NaOH, 0.5 M KCl, 10% (v/v) glycerol, 0.1 M immidazole−pH=7.6), p53D30 is eluted with 45% buffer G. 50 mM 2-mercaptoethanol and 1 mM ZnCl₂ are added to the solution and the protein is dialysed at 4° C. against 50 mM Hepes.NaOH, 0.5 M KCl, 20% (v/v) glycerol, 50 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 1 mM ZnCl₂−pH=7.6. p53D30 is concentrated to 1 mg/ml (Amicon 30 kDa cut off membrane), flash frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −70° C.

Protein Analysis

The purity of the protein preparation is evaluated by gel scanning (Schimadzu CS-930) on a SDS-PAGE (Laemmli, U. K. (1970) Nature, 227, 680-385) stained with Coomassie blue. Protein concentration is determined according to Bradford, M. B. (1976) Anal. Biochem., 72, 248-254).

Example 10

To improve the intracellular stability and facilitate cellular uptake of the peptides described in examples 1 to 9, peptide binding elements may be constructed in which the peptides of the present invention are presented on the active site of Escherichia coli thoredoxin. The pTrx vector (Invitrogen) is cleaved with restriction enzyme RsrII. Ogligomers, corresponding to the peptide identified on clone 12/1, described in example 8 above, and wild type p53 sequences are phosphorylated, annealed and then ligated into the cleaved pTrx vector.

The following oligomers may be use to produce a binding element (TIP wt) comprising a p53 wild type peptide insert:

5′-3′ GTCCGCCTCTGAGTCAGGAAACATTTTCAGACCTATGGAAACTACTTCCTGA AAACG, and 5′-3′ GACCGTTTTCAGGAAGTAGTTTCCATAGGTCTGAAAATGTTTCCTGACTCAG AGGCG

The following oligomers may be used to produce a binding element (TIP 12/1) comprising the peptide insert of clone 12/1 described in example 8.

5′-3′: GTCCGCCTCTGAGTATGCCTCGTTTTATGGATTATTGGGAGGGTCTTAATGA AAACG and 5′-3- GACCGTTTTCATTAAGACCCTCCCAATAATCCATAAAACGAGGCATACTCTC AGAGGCG.

E. Coli 1724 cells are transformed with the resulting plasmids as well as pTrx which may act as a negative control binding element (Trx) comprising thioredoxin without a peptide insert. The cultures may be grown in RM medium (1×M9 salts, 2% Casamino acids, 1% glycerol, 1 mM MgCl₂, 100 g/ml ampicillin) overnight at 30° C. The cultures are inoculated into fresh induction medium (1×M9 salts, 0.2% Casamino acids, 0.5% glucose, 1 mM MgCl₂, 100 g/ml ampicillin to a dilution of {fraction (1/20)}) and grown to an Optical Density (OD) of 0.25 to 0.5 at 30° C. The culture is transferred to 37° C. and induced with L-Tryptophan at a final concentration of 100 g/ml. After 3 hours to 4 hours cells are harvested by centrifugation. The pellets are resuspended in ice cold 20 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8, 2.5 mM EDTA with protease inhibitors 1 mM PMSF, 1 mM benzamidine, leupeptin, approtnin and pepstatin at 10 g/ml each. The cells are lysed by shock freezing, thawing and sonicating. The cycle is repeated two more times. The soluble lysate is then centrifuged at 10000 g for 20 min at 4° C. Heat shock lysates are obtained by resuspending petilets to an OD of 100 and then treating at 80° C. for 10 minutes followed by centrifugation at 10,000 g for 20 min.

Purification of soluble extracts is carried out by loading clear soluble lysates onto an Ion exchange Q50 column (BioRad) and eluting with a linear gradient of 0.05M-1 MKCL in 50 mMTris/HCL pH7.8, 0.1% Triton X-100, 10% glycerol and 50 mMKCL.

Active fractions may be identified on dot blots with an anti-thioredoxin antibody available from Invitrogen. The active fractions may then be concentrated using Centriprep 3 filters (Amicon) and loaded unto a G100 column (Pharmacia) which has been preequilibrated with 30 mM HEPES, pH 8.0, 500 mM KCL, 0.1% Triton X100, and 10% glycerol. Following elution, active fractions may be pooled, concentrated and dialyzed against PBS.

For expression in mammalian cells, the complete thioredoxin coding region with peptide insertions (TIP wt, and TIP 12/1) or without peptide inserts (Trx) may be PCR amplified using standard PCR reagents and conditions known in the art and the following primers: 5′-3′: CGGGATCCACCATGGGCGATAAAATTATTCACCTG and 5′-3′: CTCGACGCTAACCTGGCCTAGGGAATTCC.

The resulting PCR products may be cleaved with BamHI and Eco RI and ligated into BamHI and EcoRI cleaved pcDNA3. pcDNA3 (Promega) is a vector having a CMV promoter for driving expression of TIP wt, TIP 12/1 and Trx in mammalian cells. The plasmids may be amplified in E. coli as known in the art. Plasmid DNA encoding for TIP 12/1, TIP wt and Trx may be purified using a Quiagent purification system or phenol/chloroform precipitation.

Antibodies or DNA encoding the described binding elements may be microinjected into Vrn.6 cells, a transformed rat thyroid epithelial cell line and T22 cells, a mouse prostrate derived cell line both cell lines being stably transfected with pRGC AFos-Lacz, a p53 responsive β-galactosidase reporter. Production of the Vrn.6 cell line and the pRGCΔFos-Lacz reporter are known in the art. Blaydes, J. P. et al., (1997), Oncogene, vol 14, in press; and Hupp, T. R et al. (1995) Cell, vol. 83, 237-245 hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Vrn.6 tolerate hight levels of wild type p53 and overexpress MDM2 at a protein level. T22 cells typically contain low levels of p53 and mdm2.

For microinjection, cells may be seeded into tissue culture dishes and grown to 60-70% confluence. Microinjection may be performed using an Eppendorfer micorinjection system (Microinjector 5242, Micromanipulator 5170) mounted to an Axiovert light microscope (Zeiss) having a heated stage.

Purified mouse monoclonal antibodies 3G5 and 4B2 may be injected intranuclearly and cytoplasmicly in PBS at a concentration of 1.3 mg/ml. Plasmid DNA encoding for TIP 12/1, TIP wt and Trx may be injected intronuclearly in water at a concentration of 0.25 mg7 ml. Following microinjection, fresh medium may be added to the cell cultures and the cultures further incubated for 24 hours.

To detect β-galactosidase activity, cells may be washed with PBS and fixed with 2% formaldehyde,/0.2% glutaraldehyde in PBS for 5 minutes on ice. The cells may be washed again and overlaid with X-gal (0.25 mg/ml) in a reaction mix (5 mM potassium ferricyanide, 2 mM magnesium chloride in PBS). Cells may then be incubated at 37° C. for 16 hours after which they may be observed for blue stained cells indicating a positive response.

Results:

In Vrn.6 cells, having overexpressed MDM2, a positive response was observed when 3G5 antibody or TIP 12/1 were injected intranuclearly. There was not a positive response weht Trx was injected intranuclearly. 3G5 binds mdm2 withing the p53 binding pocket thereby blocking p53-MDM2 association (Bottinger et al., 1997) I.

In T22 cells, a low level p53 and mdm2 containing cell line, a strong positive response was observed when 3G5 and TIP 12/1 were injected. A positive but lower level response was observed whent TIPwt was injected. No response was observed when 4B2 antibody or Trx were injected. 4B2 is an anti MDM2 antibody that targets an epitope outside the p53 binding pocket on MDM2.

DNA encoding the described binding elements TIP 12/1, TIP wt and Trx and the pRGCΔFosLacZ reporter may be transiently transfected into the following three different cell types, OSA cells, a human osteosarcome cell line, U2-Os cells, another osteosarcoma cell line, and MCF-7 cells, a breast conacer cell line containing wild type p53. The OSA cell line contains a highly elevated mdm2 level due to gene amplification (Florence et al. 1994). The U2-OS cell line has no gene amplification for mdm2 but has elevated levels of mdm2-mRNA (Florence et al. 1994). The MCF-7 cell line contains heterogenously expressed low levels of wild type p53 and no reported mdm2 elevation.

For transient transfection and reporter induction, cells are seeded into 6 well plates at 1.5×10⁶ cell per well. They are grown to a density of 80% confluence and transfected using different Lipophilic reagents such Lipofectin and Lipofectamin from Promega or Dosper and Dotap from Boehringer. 2.5 μg of TIP encoding plasmid DNA, 1 μg RGCΔFosLacZ DNA and 5-10 μg of lipophili reagent according to manufacturer instructions are mixed in serum free medium and applied to the cells. Two to four hours after transfection, complete medium is added. Forty-eight hours after transfection β-galactosidase activity is measured using DPRG (Boehringer) as a substrate. Cells are scraped into PBS and centrifuged. Pellets from each well are dissolved in 50 μl of Reporter Lysis buffer (Promega) and incubated on ice for 15 minutes. Soluble Lysates are incubated with CPRG in 100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. Optical Density at 595 nm is measured 1 to 24 hours later.

Results: Surprisingly, most induction of the p53 reporter is achieved by TIP 12/1 in MCF-7 cells and in U2-OS cells. Lower induction is observed in TIP 12/1 transfected OSA cells. Transfection of the control plasmid alone induces a lowe level respons of p53 dependent transcriptional activation in MCF-7 and U2-OS cells but is almost completely absent in OSA cells.

T22 cells, U2-Os cells, OSA cells and SAOS 2 cells may be grown in in Dulbeccor's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% Fetal Calf Serum. Additionally, for T22 cells 1 mg/ml of the antibiotic G418 may be added. Vrn.6 cells are grown as is known in the art, previously described by Blaydes et al., 1997. 

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A peptide which binds to a DM2 protein and inhibits binding of said DM2 protein to a p53 protein, the peptide being a derivative of an amino acid sequence that comprises an amino acid motif comprising at least 8 consecutive amino acids of the formula R₁-X₁-F-X₂-R₂-R₃-W-X₃-X₄-R₄ (I), (SEQ ID NO:4)

wherein R₁ is proline (P), leucine (L), glutamic acid (E), cysteine (C) or glutamine (Q), X stands for any natural amino acid, R₂ is arginine (R), histidine (H), glutamic acid, cysteine, serine, or aspartic acid (D), R₃ is histidine (H), phenylalanine (F) or tyrosine (Y), R₄ is phenylalanine (F), glutamine (Q) or leucine (L), and F is phenylalanine and W is tryptophan, said derivative being modified from said amino acid sequence by substitution, whereby one or more amino acids in said amino acid motif are each replaced by a non-natural amino acid.
 25. A peptide according to claim 24 wherein said amino acid motif comprises at least the eight consecutive amino acids F-X₂-R₂-R₃-W-X₃-X₄-R₄ (Ib) (SEQ ID NO:10)

from the sequence of formula (I) (SEQ ID NO:4),
 26. A peptide according to claim 24, wherein the MDM2 is human DM2.
 27. A peptide according to claim 24, wherein the p53 is human p53.
 28. A peptide according to claim 24, wherein the modification is such that an α-helix conformation in the peptide is induced, increased or maintained.
 29. A peptide according to claim 24, wherein R₂, X₃ and/or X₄ are, independently from one another, replaced by α,α-disubstituted amino acid residue, α-aminoisobutyric acid, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, 1-amino-cyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid, 1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, 4-amino piperidine-4-carboxylic acid, or 1-aminocycloheptane-1-carboxylic acid.
 30. A peptide according to claim 29, wherein R₂ is replaced by α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), X₃ is replaced by α-aminoisobutyric acid and/or X₄ is replaced by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac₃c).
 31. A peptide according to claim 24, wherein the modification includes replacement of an amino acid with a non-natural amino acid mimetic thereof.
 32. A peptide according to claim 30, wherein the modification further includes replacement of an amino acid with a non-natural amino acid mimetic thereof.
 33. A peptide according to claim 24, consisting of no more than fifteen amino acids.
 34. A peptide according to claim 25, which is a said derivative of an amino acid sequence that consists of an amino acid motif of the formula F-X₂-R₂-R₃-W-X₃-X₄-R₄ (Ib) (SEQ ID NO:10)

wherein X₂ is methionine, isoleucine, threonine, arginine, alanine or serine; X₃ is glutamic acid, threonine, alanine, phenylalanine or serine; and X₄ is glycine, glutamine, threonine, alanine or aspartic acid.
 35. A peptide according to claim 34, wherein X₂ is methionine; X₃ is glutamic acid; and/or X₄ is glycine.
 36. A peptide according to claim 25, which is a said derivative of an amino acid sequence that consists of an amino acid motif of the formula X₁-F-X₂-R₂-R₃-W-X₃-X₄-R₄ (Ic) (SEQ ID NO:11)

wherein X₁ is arginine, asparagine, alanine, threonine or valine; X₂ is methionine, isoleucine, threonine, arginine, alanine or serine; X₃ is glutamic acid, threonine, alanine, phenylalanine or serine; and X₄ is glycine, glutamine, threonine, alanine or aspartic acid.
 37. A peptide according to claim 36, wherein X₁ is arginine; X₂ is methionine; X₃ is glutamic acid; and/or X₄ is glycine.
 38. A peptide according to claim 24 carrying one or more protecting groups.
 39. A peptide according to claim 24 which is in the form of a salt.
 40. A peptide according to claim 24 which is in cyclic form.
 41. A peptide according to claim 40, which contains a disulphide bridge, a thioether bridge or a lactam.
 42. A conjugate comprising the peptide of claim 24 covalently attached to another peptide or protein.
 43. A conjugate comprising a peptide of claim 24, labeled directly or by way of a spacer or linker group with an enzyme, a fluorescent marker, a chemiluminescent marker, a metal chelate, paramagnetic particles or biotin.
 44. A method for inhibiting the binding of a DM2 protein to a p53 protein comprising contacting said DM2 protein with a peptide according to claim
 24. 45. A composition comprising a peptide according to claim 24, in admixture with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 46. A peptide which binds to a DM2 protein and inhibits binding of said DM2 protein to a p53 protein, the peptide consisting of no more than 15 amino acids and being a derivative of an amino acid sequence that comprises an amino acid motif comprising at least the eight consecutive amino acids F-X₂-R₂-R₃-W-X₃-X₄-R₄ (Ib) (SEQ ID NO:10)

from the sequence R₁-X₁-F-X₂-R₂-R₃-W-X₃-X₄-R₄ (I), (SEQ ID NO:4)

wherein R₁ is proline (P), leucine (L), glutamic acid (E), cysteine (C) or glutamine (Q), X₁ is any natural amino acid, X₂ is methionine (M), R₂ is arginine (R), histidine (H), glutamic acid (E), cysteine (C), serine (S), or aspartic acid (D), R₃ is phenylalanine (F) or tyrosine (Y), X₃ is glutamic acid (E), X₄ is any natural amino acid R₄ is phenylalanine (F), glutamine (Q) or leucine (L), and F is phenylalanine and W is tryptophan, said derivative being modified from said amino acid sequence by substitution, whereby a plurality of amino acids in said amino acid motif are each replaced by a nonnatural amino acid, wherein said modification includes: (1) R₂ being replaced by α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), X₃ being replaced by α-aminoisobutyric acid and/or X₄ being replaced by 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac₃c); and (2) replacement of a plurality of amino acids with a non-natural amino acid mimetic thereof, said replacement including R₃ being replaced by a structurally related analogue.
 47. A conjugate comprising the peptide of claim 46 covalently attached to another peptide or protein.
 48. A conjugate comprising a peptide of claim 46, labeled directly or by way of a spacer or linker group with an enzyme, a fluorescent marker, a chemiluminescent marker, a metal chelate, paramagnetic particles or biotin.
 49. A method for inhibiting the binding of a DM2 protein to a p53 protein comprising contacting said DM2 protein with a peptide according to claim
 46. 50. A composition comprising a peptide according to claim 46, in admixture with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 